father’s day

Father’s Day is just around the corner – literally. Like me, my dad is an avid reader. His go-to books are the Bill O’Reilly “Killing….” series, but lately I’ve been trying to broaden his horizons to read books written by other authors. Today I’m linking up with The Broke and the Bookish to share my recommendations for books dad will love this Father’s Day.

Books Dad Will Love

The Great Outdoors

Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
This is the first book that I recommended to my dad this year and he loved it! Stranger in the Woods is the true story of a hermit, who lived in the woods in Maine for 27 years without being caught or detected. He ends up getting caught and the book centers on a journalist, Michael Finkel, trying to get to know this man and piece together why he went out to the woods and what kept him out there. It’s a quick and short read.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer or Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
I’ll be honest, any book by Jon Krakauer is a must-read. Krakauer writes non-fiction, telling stories based on true events. In Into the Wild, he pieces together the story of a man who disappears into the woods based on facts and information he finds from primary sources and interviewing the man’s family. In Into Thin Air, Krakauer recounts his experience climbing Mount Everest and the avalanche that occurred on the trip. Both riveting, and read more like fiction than non-fiction.

The Man Who Lives With Wolves by Shaun Ellis
My dad loves this book; my mom also read it and loved it, which is surprising because it’s not a go-to genre for her. (My parents bought the National Geographic documentary, A Man Among Wolves, based on the book and loved that as well). This book and documentary tell the true story about a man who chooses to live in the wild among a pace of wolves. The wolves have accepted him as part of their pack. Ever wondered what it would be like to live in the wild? Here’s your chance to find out.

History

Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly
I had to include the Bill O’Reilly “Killing…” series. Killing Patton focuses on General Patton and World War II. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in the “Killing” series. I like that these books look at issues or events from multiple lenses. This isn’t meant to say there aren’t biases, but I think they do paint a well-rounded picture. I also particularly liked Killing Jesus, which looks at Jesus’s life through a historical lens.

Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
If your dad is a World War II buff, then he will love Band of Brothers (same goes if he loved this TV mini-series). Band of Brothers is about a group of US Army soldiers and their experience fighting in WWII. This is a story about war; the good and the bad, the challenges and how war changes you.

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
I seem to be on a war theme! The Things They Carried is an award winning book that is set during the Vietnam War. It’s also the only fiction I’m including on the list. It’s a must-read for anyone, and this tough, reflective book is one your dad will love.

Dead Wake by Erik Larson
I recommend anything by Erik Larson! Like Jon Krakauer, Larson writes about true events, and constructs an amazing narrative that feels like you’re reading a novel. He does a lot of research to construct stories from history and provides perspective that perhaps haven’t been explored as deeply and widely. Dead Wake focuses on the sinking of the Lusitania and how it brought the US into World War I.

When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss
This book is recommended by my husband, who is an avid Green Bay Packers fan. If your dad loves football, then this book is a must-read about legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi. It chronicles his rise to fame, from the son of an immigrant father to coaching the Green Bay Packers, leading them to five championships. Go Pack Go!

Note: I decided not to include fiction on this list. I honestly couldn’t decide where to begin!

Your Turn! What books will your dad love to read? Any recommendations on what I should get my dad for Father’s Day?